A Spiritual Morning At Linh Ung Pagoda: Visiting Lady Buddha In Da Nang

The Goddess of Mercy

As you arrive in Da Nang, it is hard to miss the enormous white Lady Buddha, sat on the clifftop rising gracefully above the Son Tra Peninsula, overlooking the city and ocean. It stands as Vietnam's largest Buddhist statue, at 67 meters (220 feet) tall. This gleaming white statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Quan The Am Bo Tat) offers blessings of peace and protection.

I spent a morning visiting Linh Ung Pagoda, and not only does it provide you with some fantastic photo opportunities, but it is also a chance to experience Vietnamese Buddhist culture, admire the sculptures & artwork and enjoy the breath taking coastal views.

There are actually 3 Linh Ung Pagodas in Da Nang, all of which share the same name, but they are located in different scenic locations:

1. Linh Ung Non Nuoc (Marble Mountains)

2. Linh Ung Bai But (Son Tra Peninsula - the one with Lady Buddha)

3. Linh Ung Ba Na (Ba Na Hills)

The Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula is the most famous, thanks to its monumental Lady Buddha statue, which was completed in 2010 after six years of construction.

The Legend Behind the Site

There is a myth that long ago, a stone statue of Buddha mysteriously appeared on Son Tra's shores. Fishermen built a small shrine to honour it, and the area became known as Bai But (Buddha's Beach). Over time, the site became well known as a sacred place where prayers were answered, which led to the construction of the grand pagoda.

The Lady Buddha Statue

Whilst exploring the site, I learned that the statue's 67 meter height holds great significance, as it symbolises the 67 steps to enlightenment in Buddhism. The statue is built in white marble like composite and stands on a lotus pedestal, holding a vial of sacred water. There are 17 internal floors, which host 21 small Buddha statues, but access was restricted to just the first floor when I visited.

The pagoda complex blends traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture with some modern elements, including a three entrance gate representing the Three Jewels of Buddhism, beautifully landscaped gardens with bonsai trees, a main prayer hall with golden Buddha statues and 18 Arhat (enlightened disciple) statues, which line the courtyard outside the main hall.

A Spiritual Landmark for Central Vietnam

The pagoda's construction was funded entirely by donations and after its completion, the Lady Buddha quickly became a pilgrimage site for Buddhists nationwide. The statue became a protective icon for Da Nang and is believed to guard the city from natural disasters. According to locals, there has been no typhoons since the statues construction. It was purposely built facing the sea to bless fishermen and sailors for safe journeys as they depart. Vietnamese people go to pray at the statue for good luck, general blessings and good fortune.

How to Get to Linh Ung Pagoda from Da Nang Center

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to Linh Ung Pagoda from the centre of Da Nang. I had downloaded grab, so organised a car to pick me up from my hotel. I was staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, by My Khe Beach, and the total cost was 200,000 VND for a return journey. Alternatively you can book a scooter ride via grab, which would be about half the price, or you could even rent a scooter yourself for the day from one of the many shops in Da Nang. To get there you would follow Vo Nguyen Giap Street along My Khe Beach, then take Hoang Sa Road up Son Tra Peninsula, which winds up the mountain, so be careful. Once there, parking at the pagoda is free.

If you were interested in spending the day site seeing, you can organise a guided tour to include Linh Ung Pagoda with Marble Mountains and then head to the beautiful old town of Hoi An for dinner. You can check prices and an itinerary here.

Exploring The Linh Ung Pagoda

If you want to avoid the crowds, then you can head there as early as 6am, when the site opens. However, I visited between 11am - 12pm on a Friday, and didn't find it too crowded at all. Here is my video tour link:

The grounds are extremely well maintained, with many buildings open to the public to explore and admire the various statues and artwork. You will need to take your shoes off when going inside the buildings. If you enter the site up the steps to the main gate, you can explore the Lady Buddha first. If all 17 floors are open you can climb to the top for panoramic views of Da Nang.

You can then go through the main gate and into the courtyard, where you will notice the 18 Arhat statues, each with unique facial expressions.

At the top of the courtyard is the grand main hall, with a curved roof in the shape of a dragon, beautifully decorated pillars and a Sakyamuni Buddha statue you can admire inside.

As you wonder through the grounds you will discover many hidden shrines among the bonsai trees and lotus ponds.

At the far end of the site is a tower known as Thap Xa Loi, which is surrounded by bonsai trees and beautifully crafted statues. You can again go inside, but are restricted to the first floor (well at least I was when I visited). Note, there is a large car park here, so this is an alternative entrance and may well be where you start, depending where you get dropped off.

Visiting Tips

Dress Code

• Cover shoulders and knees

• Remove hats inside prayer halls

• Avoid revealing clothing (sarongs available for borrow if needed)

Behavior Guidelines

• Speak softly

• No pointing feet at Buddha images

• Ask permission before photographing worshippers

Best Visiting Times

• Weather: October-April (cooler, less rain)

• Time: Weekday mornings (weekends can get crowded)

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would say spending a morning at Linh Ung Pagoda is well worth the visit. It gives you an understanding of Vietnamese spirituality, whilst you can appreciate the intricate detail that goes into all the statues, artwork and structures. On top of this, the viewpoint you get from there of Da Nang is incredible!